SpyMedia: More Austin Powers than James Bond

SpyMedia hasn't even launched yet and already Register readers are telling us about it.

Unfortunately they aren't telling us how great it is but because the company sent a welcome email to all subscribers and left all their addresses clearly visible in the To: field.

Customers were not impressed. One said: "This is such a fundamental breach of simple protocol and internet security that I am closing my Spy Media account forthwith and will be passing details of this to the UK Information Commissioner..."

The email, which was a welcome letter from company president Bryan Quinn, included about 1,500 addresses.

A company spin doctor sent us an email statement: "Due to a technical error, a welcome message to Spy Media members was inadvertently sent with email addresses visible to all recipients. Upon receiving the message, members notified Spy Media of the error and requested immediate action. The problem has since been corrected and the company expects no further problems. Spy Media has apologized to its members and assured them that their personal registration information remains secure and has not been used in an inappropriate manner." That's alright then.

SpyMedia is one of several start-ups aiming to exploit sales of news-related amateur photographs. Users are encouraged to register, upload pictures and wait for big media companies to start buying their work. Glasgow-based Scoopt.com and celljournalist.com offer similar services.